WONDERFUL WORK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20465, 9 July 1936, Page 10

WONDERFUL WORK

INDUSTRIOUS CRIPPLE GIRL USES LEFT FOOT ONLY Incredible as it may seem, a little cripple girl, 13 years of age has, within 12 months, learned to do fancy work of intricate design, and she does it all With her left foot. Crippled to such an extent that she is incapable of using her hands or right leg, little Betty Steel, who resides with her parents at Washdyke, spends her time doing fancy work with her left foot, and those who have had the opportunity of visiting the Winter Show and examining samples of her work have found it hard to believe that it is the work of a crippled child. With no stencil to guide her, she designs the pattern as she works, and the evenness and beautiful finish of the articles would do credit to many an older person who accomplishes similar work by hand. Little Betty has two interests, the wireless and her fancy work, and she never tires of either. No matter how good or how bad the programmes are which come over the air, the music and the children’s sessions are a joy to her. Twelve months ago Betty expressed a desire to do fancy work, and her mother decided to endeavour to teach her to use her left foot. A great deal

of patience was required on the part of the tutor In the early stages, but the pupil herself possessed an unlimited store of patience and enthusiasm, and results were not long in coming. And this is how she works. Over a square wooden frame is drawn the cloth on which the design is to be worked. A small piece of wood is placed under the cloth in order to assist the child in manoeuvring the needle. Naturally Betty cannot thread the needle, and this is done by her mother. Apart from this she receives no other assistance. Working the needle with her big toe to the edge of the board, Betty forces the point down to the part of the cloth where the thread has to be drawn through. She then places her big toe behind the head of the needle and forces it through the cloth. The board underneath is shifted back slightly, and the body of the needle dexterously cought between the big toe and the first toe and drawn through the cloth. The grasp is relaxed and the thread caught between the toes and drawn tight. So expert has the little worker become in this movement that she can now perform it almost as quickly as a person using their hands. Then comes the next part; how to get the cloth in position for the next stitch, but to Betty it presents no difficulties. She manoeuvres the frame and the board underneath with her foot until she has the position right, and once again she forces the needle through the cloth. And so she works by the hour, more happy and contented perhaps, than many another child, and turning out work which can only be marvelled at. Occasionally the silk thread becomes knotted, and then mother is called. A stitch is not in the right place, but no call for help this

time. The needle is pushed back through the cloth and manoeuvred into its right place. Does the point hurt? Perhaps it does, but Betty never complains. Her heart is in her work, and her work is a credit to her.

Betty has five pieces of work on exhibition at the show, and each piece took her two weeks to make. Those who see it will be able to visualise this little cripple girl seated on the floor, working with toes which have become as supple as fingers, and they will be able the better to appreciate her enthusiasm, her skill and her patience.